Read Online Coins and Daggers by Patrice Hannah - Free Book Online

frowned, wondering where the
horses were. Surely the Lord Chastelle was more than wealthy enough
to healthily maintain such fine creatures.
    “Can I help you, ma’am?”
    Audelia turned at the crisp voice behind
her. “Um...no. I was just taking a look around.”
    The man facing her was somewhere near
middle-aged, with a gray receding hairline and a stout-ish frame.
“And who might you be, girl?”
    Clamping her mouth shut lest she gave way to
any vital information, Audelia took a deep breath and smiled,
outstretching her hand. “Miss Lia Moresen, sir. And you?”
    The man wiped one large palm against the
side of his buff breeches before accepting the polite gesture.
“Brutus Marchal, at your service.” He then gave her a once-over.
“You must be the maid to milord’s sister.”
    “I am.”
    Brutus
Marchal flicked his tongue noisily through the gap between his two
front teeth and nodded. “I’m the main stable-boy for this fine
piece you’re standing in.” He chuckled and shot her a wink.
“Stable- man , if you
will.”
    Audelia smiled politely and returned her
gaze to the interior of the stable. “Might I ask you a question,
Mr. Marchal?”
    “Now, look here. Everyone calls me Brutus
and I like it that way. So, Brutus it shall be.” He patted his
rounded belly and smiled. “Now, out with your question, madam.”
    “Where are the horses?” When Audelia turned
to face the man again, he was examining something in the roof that
she could not make out.
    “This stable here houses mainly the master’s
broodmares, you see. We had them moved to the main stable, since
it’s bigger, so we can do some repairs. The roof’s leaking a bit
and His Lordship admires his horses a great deal.”
    “I see.”
    “Yup. Won’t be until another week or so till
the repairs are complete though.”
    And before that, she’d be long gone. “Of
course.”
    “Perhaps, if you’d like, I can show you to
the main stable to take a look.”
    “Maybe another time, Brutus,” she
intentionally stalled. “I do have a few roses to pick from the
gardens for Her Ladyship and I best do that before she wakes.”
    “Not a problem,” Brutus saluted, bidding her
way to pass. “If you ever need some conversation, I’ll be
around.”
    “And I’ll be sure to remember that. See you
later, Brutus.”
    Audelia left the stable and rounded the
corner, only to walk straight up into something very hard and
unmoving. The stars circling her head lingered a little while
before she managed to look up.
    “In a hurry, are you?”
    The blasted
guard stood glaring down at her as if she had committed some
crime. Well... “Get out of my way, you giant. What
do you want?”
    “His Lordship has appointed me to go
wherever you go, Miss.”
    “I don’t need a shadow and if I did, it
would hardly be one as big and clumsy as you.” The brute arched a
brow. “Do you actually think I didn’t know you’ve been following
me?”
    “Doesn’t matter.” The man stood, arms
crossed. “What do you want with the stables?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “Oh, don’t be talking all nice now. I heard
you asking about His Lordship’s horses.”
    Audelia tensed, blood pumping hotly through
her veins. “What do you think? That I’m looking for one to
steal?”
    “Not one. Maybe several too.”
    “And where, pray tell, would I put them? In
my bosom?”
    The guard glanced down at her modestly
covered breasts for a fleeting moment before meeting her glaring
eyes again. “I hardly know and I don’t care. You thieving wenches
have pockets the size of traveling carts these days.” The guard
stepped closer, almost tipping her over and off balance. “So, let’s
see ‘em.”
    Audelia stepped back, wishing more than ever
that she was still in possession of her dagger. If she had, the
fool man would have been wiser to maintain his distance.
    “Take another step and you’ll rue the day
you ever set eyes on me, you ill-mannered oaf.”
     
    * *
     
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